Tamaulipas, Mexico: Navy Captures Leader of “Los Zetas” Cartel

On July 16, 2013 Reuters España reported that Miguel Angel “El Z-40” Treviño, leader of the “Los Zetas” drug cartel, was captured following a Navy helicopter operation near the U.S. border. Treviño was captured along with two other cartel members in the early hours of Monday, while traveling by van along a dirt road 27 miles south of Nuevo Laredo, in the border state of Tamaulipas.

Treviño took over command of Los Zetas after the death of former leader Heriberto “El Lazca” Lazcano, during a gun battle with members of the Navy in October of last year. Treviño’s capture is the first major blow to a drug trafficking cartel during the government of President Enrique Peña Nieto, who took office in December. Los Zetas are suspected of a range of criminal activities including: kidnapping, extortion, human trafficking, piracy and theft of Pemex fuel. Read Article